small new project

The new issue of American Patchwork and Quilting arrived in the mail the other day.  I flipped it open to this project by Kim Diehl and without even looking at the rest of the magazine I went down to pull fabrics from my stash to make it.   

This is one quarter of the applique done.  It should be a quick project.  A gift for Christmas. (if I get it done)

The directions are for machine applique but I chose what I find more relaxing - to applique by hand.  I did try one new thing :0)  I basted the straight stems on by machine.  It worked well - I would do it again.  I should try new things more often...

Happy Halloween!

coffee table cover up

I finished my cover-it-up coffee table runner.  

 I even fussy cut a little birdie for one of the stars :0)

 I did very simple machine quilting.  The more hand quilting I do the less I like my machine quilting!!  Oh well, I can't hand quilt everything and this quilt will get used hard in its spot on the coffee table.

I love the intense fall colors of this little quilt.  As you can see we don't have a lot left outside anymore...

It almost completely covers the top of the table, the worn spots are well hidden and the drawers on the front are easily accessible.  Done!

Happy Quilting!!

Bird of Paradise blocks done

After a few years, I finally finished 20 blocks for my Bird of Paradise quilt.  I started with the Threadbear pattern but made changes. Five of the blocks are of my own design. I included my DH, my 3 daughters and 1 son.  I'd be elated if these blocks were really completed but...  there is a lot of embroidery to do on them yet and I really don't enjoy embroidery.  I shouldn't have left it all to do at the end.

 I think this is how I want to lay out the blocks - I have played around with them a lot.  I would just love to sew them together and start on the borders but I suspect the embroidery would be even harder to do then. 

My son's block was the last one.  I pondered a long time what to put in his block.  I decided on a fishing rod  after this summer as he enjoyed catching many fish.  My drawing was like this first picture but it turned out too empty and boring.

So I added a couple butterflies.  I hadn't included any in the other blocks but I wanted more color and I thought he would approve of butterflies over flowers  :0)

So, I guess I better go find some floss and an embroidery needle...

some progress

I finished all of the red/orange and black stars I needed for the border.  I love this simple block :0)  I decided on rail fence blocks for the center of the runner and I chose a stack of fabrics from my stash and got started.

 After laying out the first batch together with the stars I wondered if maybe I should include some black in the center too.

 I think it works better - it helps tie the 2 parts together.

So I made some more...  At this rate I might have a finished top by next week.
Happy Quilting!!

from the outside in

I caved and started a new project on Friday.  My kids had a day off from school and there were a few extras kids here too. I figured I could sew and supervise at the same time.  I pulled out some reds, dark oranges and blacks and started sewing  :0)  I thought I'd start with the border and make some hourglass or rail fence blocks to fit inside it later.

 I have this coffee table that my husband built over 15 years ago.  It has been used hard and is banged up/ drawn on/ punctured...  I don't really like the color of it anymore either so mostly I just want to cover it up.

 I found this quilt did the job nicely.  But there are 2 drawers in one side of the table and the remotes are supposed to reside in there and I have heard some mumbles about the quilt being "in the way". 

Actually the table looks more like this by the end of the day.  It gets tidied up at the kids' bedtime and usually stays tidy until they come home from school.  It has a big shelf loaded with library books under it and it is the perfect height for putting your feet on.  It's a very functional piece of furniture and I guess I could haul it out to the garage and paint it but after I'd still want to put a quilt on it  :0)  So, for now I will make one that fits better, covers up more, and does not get in the way of the drawer.  There, did I justify that new start well enough?  lol!

Now, as for the book from my last post.  I meant for it to be a giveaway - I guess I could have been more clear about that.  With 4 people responding that they were interested in it, as well as one non-commenter, that makes 5.  I put the number into the random number generator I found online and number 2 was generated.

Barb was interested commenter #2.  If you will email me your address Barb I will get the book into the mail for you.

 

Happy Quilting!!

quilting progress

 This is the quilting design I chose for quilting the blocks for my Crowfoot quilt.  Unbelievably it took 5 evenings of quilting to get this far.  As my kids get older they think they need to stay up later  which then shortens my time to sit and quilt.  I think everyone around here could use more sleep except me - I only need more time to quilt  :0)

 

 Anyway, progress is progress!  I love this quilting design - it is perfect for this block as it misses all the seams.  I also love the Quilters Dream Request batting.  It needles beautifully!

 Here is the stencil I`m thinking of using for the sashing.  I`ve had it forever - even used it once for some free motion quilting in a border.  I won`t be posting a picture of how that turned out - lol.  I think I can mark it with chalk or soap.  I`m not sure how well it will show up with the navy print being a bit busy.  Oh well - it will be fun to quilt and will contrast with the straight lines in the blocks.  Hopefully it is dense enough.

This is the book in which I found the block quilting design.  It`s not a big book but has lots of ideas and lovely quilts in it.  I have an extra copy if anyone is interested. 

Happy Quilting!!

quilted and bound

My kids are all back to school.  I should have more time to sew but I just haven't managed to find it yet.  I did manage to get this little quilt quilted and bound.

 There is lots of Fig Tree fabric left over for more projects. 

I am slowly making progress on a number of other projects.  I started hand quilting my Crowfoot quilt.  Wow - is it ever big!  And heavy!  I've never attempted to hand quilt a queensized quilt before. But, I am loving the Quilters Dream Request batting as it needles beautifully.  I will post progress on it soon.

Happy Quilting!!